The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) celebrates today’s announcement on expanding the Klinse-za/Twin Sisters protected area in northeast British Columbia (B.C.), a remarkable milestone in the Indigenous-led recovery and conservation of endangered caribou. This measure will protect and recover caribou, and other endangered animals, in the Treaty 8 traditional territory.
Y2Y applauds West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations, the Province of British Columbia, and Environment and Climate Change Canada for taking on-the-ground action as part of an agreement that has been heralded as a model for Indigenous-led conservation in Canada and globally and a significant step forward in land-based reconciliation.
These new habitat protections expand the Klinse-za/Twin Sisters protected area to 75 times its size — from 2,689 to more than 200,000 hectares — making it the largest expansion of protected areas in B.C. in a decade.
This is good news for caribou and 35 other threatened and endangered species, including grizzly bears, in the area.
“It’s our collective responsibility to save endangered species like caribou, and West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations, alongside partners, have shown what commitment, collaboration, and meaningful action on the ground can accomplish,” says Tim Burkhart, director of landscape protection at Y2Y.
“Through their leadership, the Klinse-za herd has gone from 38 caribou to nearly 200. Critical habitat protections announced today give these caribou a chance to thrive.”
“It’s our collective responsibility to save endangered species like caribou, and West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations, alongside partners, have shown what commitment, collaboration, and meaningful action on the ground can accomplish. Through their leadership, the Klinse-za herd has gone from 38 caribou to nearly 200. Critical habitat protections announced today give these caribou a chance to thrive.”
Tim Burkhart, director of landscape protection at Y2Y
After more than 10 years, thousands of people have voiced their support for saving caribou, and more than two million acres of habitat have been protected. These conservation efforts have ensured that the Klinse-za mountain caribou herd is on the road to recovery.
Y2Y has played a key role in building instrumental support for the initiative through scientific research, fundraising, advocacy, community engagement, and storytelling, including producing the short film, Caribou Homeland.
“What the governments of West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations have done with B.C. and Canada is outstanding. Governments working together to help address the urgency of climate change and biodiversity loss that species like caribou and communities continue to face is exactly what these challenges demand,” says Burkhart.
“Y2Y will continue to work with partners to protect wild places, recover endangered species, and support reconciliation.”
Northern B.C. is abundant with diverse wildlife and has rich resources. Cumulative impacts of mining, logging, hydroelectric development, oil and gas exploration, and industrial roads have pushed the landscape beyond the brink for many species, such as caribou, who depend on intact landscapes away from disturbance and predators.
More habitat protection and recovery actions are critical in preventing the disappearance of iconic and important species.
